sharpening PERSPECTIVE: S30V time spent, skipping grits,VG10, 01

[Wowbagger]

Do any of you use a loupe or a magnifying lamp to actually see what is happening to the blade?

Yes. I use jeweler's visors all the time in my day job and at home. Gots the cool guy microscope as well as do many here in the forums. Makes for some interesting hobby time.

I can sharpen drill bits and stuff by hand and by feel but for my knives I like more subtle quality. Come to think of it I use the jeweler's visor at work to sharpen tiny drill bits around 1.5mm.

 

[Wowbagger]

Perhaps the Edge Pro solves some or all of the shortcomings that I noted with the WE 130

Nah . . . you're just a better sharpener than I am.
No clamping on the Edge Pro so I can work shallow angles; that's why I went with it.
There is still some taping and cleaning between grits to prevent scratches and edge damage.
Nothing is easy . . . except maybe your God given skill. The rest of us need crutches and props. What can I say.

 

[Wowbagger]

I cannot justify spending that much for what would constitute a hobby accessory right now)...

. . . my mom used to drive me crazy. When I was a little kid I would get some cool thing or other . . . I had a little tiny microscope, a real one (it was all metal and worked great). Other similar things . . . every once in a while she would just decide out of the blue that I had "out grown" this or that and give it to the goodwill without asking. I would come home and it would just be gone.
@#%^%$&%^&^*&^^&((
&((&*#^$^Q$))*&&**)*) ! ! ! ! !

A few years ago I got the hots for a microscope again. I'm in my late 50's but I assure you I HAVE NOT OUT GROWN A MICROSCOPE ! ! !
I put it in the Q and watched the prices for months or a year. One day WHAMO I pounced.
Glad I did.

 

[adamlau]

I don't buy that I am a better sharpener than you or anybody else . I can only attest to being a lazy sharpener and want to get in and out of a session in a minimal amount of time with reasonable results.

 

[Wowbagger]

I don't buy that I am a better sharpener than you or anybody else . I can only attest to being a lazy sharpener and want to get in and out of a session in a minimal amount of time with reasonable results.

Yes I guess we are a little different.
I like to get lost in the process. I spend too much time but enjoy it. Doesn't mean I can't get a box knife blade slicing in a few minutes at work if I have to but I don't enjoy all the rush.
Reasonable results . . .
not that it make a bit of rational sense but I like the stupid sharp results even if it doesn't last long. So I regularly go for unreasonable.
Hey . . . a guy has to have a hobby.

 

[Zombie411]

For those that have NOT used magnification, I would suggest going to Flea, and buying an inexpensive loupe.
Something in the 20-60x range.
A cheepe will cost less than a cup of starbucks, and the results will surprise you.

Yes, years of experience can not be replaced by ANYTHING but a tool is a tool (don't start).

The first pair of prescription glasses I bought ended a marriage. Imagine what a loupe might do for your sharpening skills.